Portable harmonium



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'.A. CARUSO PORTABLE HARMONIUM Filed Jan.

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`0ct. 2l, 1936.

-A. CARUSO Oef. 21, 1930.

PORTABLE HARIVONIUIVI ,Filed Jan. ll, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 ivwenoz A Hdd/0 ffl/w50 Oc't". Z1,r 1930; lA. CARUSO '1,778,835 I PORTABLE xARMoNIUM Filed Jan. l1, 1'929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ft/gi' I l I Patented Oct. 21, 1930 PATENT OFFICE AnoLFo CARUSO, or Nnw YORK, N. Y.

PORTABLE HARMONIUM Application filed January 11, 1929. Serial No. 331,830.

This invention relates to musica-l instruments and more particularly refers to improvements in harmoniums and like instruments.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a portable harmonium of a` novel and improved construction, which is very rcompact in design and rea-dy at all times for instant operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved type of musical instrument of the reed type, which is particularly suitable for use by singers and .vocal teachers as well as by persons engaged in the tuning of musical instruments.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a portable harmonium, certain novel and improved features, making it possible to set up and play the instruments anywhere, for the purpose of rapidly going over a vocal selection, or for the purpose of instantly determining` the right tone of a given note.

@ther objects and advantages of the present invention will more fully appear as the description proceeds and will be set forth and claimed in the appended claims.

Opera singers and other vocal artists, in order to keep in form, must practice at frequent intervals, and usually require for this the assistance of a musical instrument, such as a piano, in determining` the iright tone for any given note. Voice practice is particularly necessary just before a performance, and even during the performance a piano or other suitable instrument is frequently concealed behind the scenes in order to give the cue to singers when starting some particular aria or song.

On the other hand, the very nature of a singers life calls for frequent traveling with stops at various places, so that this makes it difficult at times for the singer to procure the needed facilities for voice test-- ing.

My present invention affords the means of producing a given range of notes, whenever the user so desires; my apparatus being so small and light and compact that it can be placed on any table or chair or even on ones lap in order to operate it.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a portable harmonium which is adapted to be operated by hand or by foot, with its cover open and partly broken away;

ig. 2 is a. cross sectional view of the same;

Fig. 3 isal view in perspective of the same in position for foot operation;

Fig. 4 is a detail View in perspective of the locking mechanismv for the bellows;

Fig. 5 is a detail view in perspective of the swell board from the rear;

Fig. 6 is a plan view of another device einbodying` my invention, adapted for electric operation by means of a plug and socket connection; l

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional View of the same through line 7-7 of Fig. 6.

The chief characteristics of my device are its eXtreme compactness and its instant readiness for operation. The same essentially comprises a portable case with all the operating parts mounted therein, said parts being permanently set in their operative relation to one another and making it thus possible to play the instrument as soon as its cover is open.

Referring to the device shown in Figs. 1 to 5, 10 designates a frame structure which is preferably in the form of an ordinary suit case, comprising a case proper 11 and a cover v12 hinged thereto at 13, said case being provided with a handle 14.

The lower part of the case is enclosed to form an air chamber 15, by a horizontal partition 16 and a board 17, and the upper part of the case is divided into a front chamber 18 and a rear chamber 19 by vertical boards 20, 21.

Chamber 19 ext-ends for the entire length of the case and accommodates a keyboard 22 and the sound controlling devices operated by its keys 23, which may be of any conventional type. For instance, the board 17 may be provided with a set of elongated openings 24, one underneath each key of the keyboard,

said openings being normally covered by Vvalves 25.

and interlock with an opening '32, s'o'as'to' maintain the swell board in its open position` 29 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The Akeys 23 are divided at the rear as shown at 30 yand are provided with guide pins 31. Actuating rods32 arev interposed between each key andthe underlying valve 25, said rods projecting through and being lguided by a guide board 33. Valves 25 are normally heldin their closed position by springs 34 as shown. Y j Y By providing a supply of air under pressure within chamber 15, it will be possible to produce the entire range vo'not-esi'or which the keyboard is intended. In the Ystructure shown, air is forced into chamber 15 by meansot` a pumping bellows 35, which is set within chamber 16 and which can be operated by up and down movement of the banda Y J Y, The topjboard 36 of the bellows is normally retained in its contracted position by means of a'latch or hook 37 engaging a hook 3,8, associated with said board 36, as shown in Fig. 4. Latch or hook 37 is pivotally mounted at 39 and can vbe movedV to one side to freethef bellows whenever desired.

In, order to operate the device therefore, it is sufficient tolay the suit case structure on a, table and to open cover 12; by releasing hook or latch 37, the device is then made ready for instant operation. lThe singer vmay test his or-her voice by operating the bellows 35 with one hand the depressing the key corre.- sponding to the desired note with the, other,

so that practicing may be done without any outside assistance; it is also possible il desired, for thesingerto sit down and to place .the case on his ,or her lap while practicing, vas will be understood. Y

The device may preferably also4 comprise means for supporting sheets of music; for instance, a ledge 40 may be hinged to the inside o the cover as shown at 41, said ledge normally vresting flat against the inner surface of the cover as shown in dotted lines Vat 40, and being tiltable so as to extend frontwardly therefrom, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2. A v Y The device may also be madeV operable either byhand or by foot, by providing the upper board 36 of the bellows lwith a sliding board 42 movable in ai front to rear direction.

chamber 55.

Said sliding board carries the hook 38 andv limits consented by the range of thefkeyboard.

instead of or besides the bellows illustrated and described, the device may be provided with electrically operable means for supplying air to the air chamber, said means being adapted for ready connection to or disconnec- -tion from any convenient outlet by means of a plug and socket connection of the ordinary type. An arrangement otthis kind is illustrated in, Figs. 6, 7, in which 50 designates the case provided with a cover 51 hinged thereto at 52. Like in the previous case, the bottoml part of the case isenclosed bya :horizontal partition 53 and a board 54 to form an air `The keyboard is in this case arranged at the front of the case, and comprises keys-56 controlling valves 57 as previouslyV explained, said key board being also equipped with a swell board 5S. Y 1V l/lfithn the rear partot chamber 55, is enclosed an electric motor 59 directly vconnected to an air pump 60, which isY provided with an inlet 61 communicating with the outside atmosphere and an outlet 62 opening within chamber 55. 'A device of thisV type can be connected to any suitable electric outlet 'by means ot a plug and socket connection and flexible cable 63, 64.

The socket leading to theelectric motor is preferably mounted within the case, for instance, near one endof board 53 as shown, so

that the device cannot be'connected if theV cover is locked. Y Y

Since electric outlets are now available in practically every hotel or home, it is possible to set the device or use over extended periods, by maintaininga continuous' supply of air. The air chamber may if desired, be provided with an excess pressure valve, not shown.

From the foregoing itjwillbeseen that I providea lportable harmoniumf-'which is ventirely 'self contained and. which ailords a means of producing sustained notes lasting az sufficiently long period ottimeto serve the purpose for which the instrument is intended. Minor changes'in theA design andl construction oi my deviceV may be. introduced withoutV departing from the inventive idea.. The drawings will therefore be understood as being intended for illustrative purposes only and not in a limiting sense. Therefore, I re- 1125 serve the right to carry my invention into l. In a device of the class speciiied, a boxlilre structure of the suit case type, comprising an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, and hand operable means normally concealed by said cover also mounted within said body, adapted to supply air under pressure to said chamber, said means becoming exposed and operable upon the opening of said cover.

Q. ln a device of the class speciiied, a boxlilre structure of the suit case type, comprising an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, and a hand operable bellows normally concealed by said cover also mounted within said body,

adapted to supply air under pressure to said chamber, said bellows becoming exposed and operable upon the opening of said cover.

3. ln device of the class speciied, a boxlike structure of the suit case type, comprising' an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, a hand operable bellows also mounted within said body, adapted to supply air und-er pressure to said chamber, a pedal, and means for connecting said pedal to said bellows.

il. In a device of the class specil'ied, a boxlike structure of the suit case type, comprising an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, a hand operable bellows also mounted within said body, adapted to supply air under )ressure to said chamber, a member movably associated with said bellows, adapted to project outwardly of said body, and a detachable pedal connection for said member.

5. In a device of the class speciiied, a boxlilre structure of the suit case type, comprising` an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, a hand operable bellows also mounted within said body, adapted to supply air under pressure to said chamber, a member slidably mounted on said bellows, adapted to be moved in and out of said body, and a detachable pedal connection for said member.

6. In a device of the class specified, a boxlike structure of the suit case type, comprisingl an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, a hand operable bellows also mounted within said body, adapted to supply air under pressure to said chamber, and means for locking said bellows in its contracted position.

7. ln a device of the class specified, a boxlilre structure of the suit case type, comprising an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, hand operable means normally concealed by said cover also mounted within said body, controlling the supply of air to said chamber, and a keyboarc and sound producing` devices controlled thereby, also mounted within said body, said air controlling means and keyboard becoming exposed and operable upon the opening of said cover.

8. In a device of the class specified, a boxlike structure of the suit case type, comprising an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, hand operable means normally concealed by said cover also mounted within said body, controlling the supply of air to said chamber, a. keyboard and sound producing devices controlled thereby, also mounted within said body, and a music supporting ledge carried by the inner surface of said cover, said air controlling means and keyboard becoming exposed and operable upon the opening' of said cover.

9. ln a. device of the class specified, a boxlike structure of the suit case type, comprising' an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, and means optionally operable either by hand or foot also mounted on said body, adapted to supply air under pressure to said chamber.

l0. In a device of the class specified, a boxlilie structure of the suit case type, comprisingan open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, and bellows optionally operable either by hand or foot also mounted Within said body, adapted to supply air under pressure to said chamber.

l1. In a device of the class specified, a boxlilre structure of the suit case type, comprising an open top body and a cover therefor, an enclosed air chamber within said body, bellows optionally operable either by hand or foot also mounted within said body, ada-ptcd to supply air under pressure to said chamber, and a keyboard and sound producing devices controlled thereby, also mounted within said body.

ADOLFO CARUSD. 

